Method for permanent removal of multiple hairs with hair clamping springs

ABSTRACT

A method of removing multiple hairs and inhibiting future hair growth includes the steps of applying a conductive solution to the hair, applying power for a period of time sufficient to destroy the matrix area of the hair, and allowing the treated hair to either be removed immediately or to stay in the skin for a period of time sufficient for the chemical reaction induced at the matrix area to continue long enough to destroy the matrix area and prevent regrowth of the hair. The hair removal is accomplished by use of a spring having at least two coils which are movable into engagement with each other. The two coils are configured for engaging and grasping hairs. When the coils clamp an engaged hair, and then moved relative to the skin, the hair is removed thereby. A device particularly suited for carrying out the invention includes coils which can be moved away from and toward each other for engaging hairs to be removed.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.PCT/US94/14557, filed Dec. 30, 1994, now published internationalapplication no. WO 95/17856, published Jul. 6, 1995, and which claimsthe priority of application Ser. No. 08/176,561, filed Dec. 30, 1993,now U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,332, issued Nov. 28, 1995, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 07/917,662, filed Jul. 20, 1992,now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.07/794,364, filed Nov. 13, 1991, now abandoned, which is a continuationof application Ser. No. 07/454,622, filed Dec. 21, 1989, now abandoned,and application Ser. No. 08/176,561 likewise is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 08/066,261, filed May 25, 1993, now abandoned,which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/929,750, filed Aug.17, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.07/707,828, filed May 30, 1991, now abandoned, and each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method for removing hair and for permanentlyimpairing future hair growth, and an apparatus for carrying out thismethod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inventors have long sought to permanently remove unwanted hair. Knowntechniques for hair removal are described in patents such as thefollowing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,394 to Mehl, which issued Nov. 15, 1994, is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/140,336, filed Oct.21, 1993, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.07/917,662, referred to above, discloses a radio frequency (RF) hairremoval method which effectively and permanently impairs future hairregrowth.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,714 to Mehl discloses a method for permanent removalof hair in which hair is removed and future hair growth is permanentlyimpaired by grasping reduced lengths of a hair between conductive hairengaging surfaces, applying high frequency electrical waves to one ofthe conductive hair engaging surfaces, and holding the hair engagingsurfaces in firm engagement in position against the skin and hair whileapplying the high frequency electrical waves until the hair releases.Although this method works well, there is a need for an even moreefficient method of permanent hair removal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,369 to Cole discloses a non-invasive method ofremoving hair through electrolysis in which a particular hair to beremoved is cleaned, and then bathed in an electrode solution. Aconductor is attached to a remote end of the treated hair after which aDC electrical current is directed down the electrode solution coatingoutside of the hair to the soft moist tissue surrounding hair within theskin, whereby sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the hair follicle site isproduced owing to the chemical reaction in the presence of electricalcurrent for causing the hair follicle to die and allow the hairassociated with the dead hair follicle to be removed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,148 to Mehl discloses a radio frequency hair removaltweezer including tweezer arms having facing interior surfaces includinga radio frequency conducting hair engaging metal conducting pad forgrasping hair to be removed. Although this hair removal tweezer operateswell, there is a need for an effective hair removal method and apparatuswhich is even simpler and easier to use.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a multiple hairremoval method and apparatus for carrying out the method that aresimpler to perform and to use than the known methods and apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hair removal method,system, and apparatus suited for removing multiple hairs at one time.

It is a further object of the invention to remove multiple hairs easierand faster without stress and infection.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method andapparatus for permanent hair removal and impairment of hair regrowth.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a hair removalsystem which has few or no moving parts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair removal systemwhich is simple and which can be used by lay people.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method forpermanent hair removal that uses an alkaline solution for pretreatingthe hair in order to more effectively increase the conductivity of hairthan is possible with known neutral or acid-based systems.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method ofpermanent hair removal by which an alkaline solution is applied to thehair to be removed for opening the cuticle and cortex layers for causingan electric power source to penetrate the hair easier and faster.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method ofmultiple hair removal by which all treated hairs slide out of theirrespective treated follicles with substantially no resistance.

It is another object of the invention to provide a permanent multiplehair removal method and apparatus which can be used by bothprofessionals and non-professionals.

It is a yet still further object of the invention to provide a permanenthair removal method and apparatus which make hair removal painless.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a permanentmultiple hair removal system which shortens the time required forpermanent hair removal.

It is another object of the invention to provide a permanent hairremoval system which is less messy than conventional systems.

It is another object of the invention to provide a permanent multiplehair removal system by which skin disorders, such as acne, can betreated concurrently with the hair removal.

It is another object of the invention to provide a permanent multiplehair removal system which uses relatively small, disposable hair removalstrips.

It is another object of the invention to provide a permanent hairremoval system which uses a protective, non-conductive layer of materialdirectly adjacent the user's skin, in conjunction with a conductor orconductive layer disposed adjacent to the non-conductive layer andspaced apart from the user's skin by the non-conductive layer.

It is yet a still further object of the invention to provide a permanenthair removal system, the components of which can be applied to theuser's skin in a liquid form.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair removal systemthat in one instance the hair has to be cut and in another instance leftlong.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multiple hair removalsystem which includes a multi-compound liquid which can be stored in asingle container prior to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hair removal system,the components of which can be used for removing one hair or multiplehairs at a time.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide for multiplehair removal by the application of any one of a number of power sourcesor by a combination of devices with different power sources.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a substantiallypainless permanent multiple hair removal method and apparatus, unlikesuch as associated with traditional wax removal in which live hairs arepulled directly from the skin.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide for permanentmultiple hair removal without the need for insertion of an electrolysisneedle into the user's skin that causes burns and infection.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multipurposeconductive pair of tweezers which functions as a conductor to a sourceof power, as a clamp, as a multiple-hair-removal tweezers, and as asingle-hair-removal tweezers.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multipurposeconductive comb which functions as a conductor to a source of power, asa clamp, and as a multiple-hair-removal comb.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multipurpose hairremoval device including a conductive spring which functions as aconductor to a source of power, as a clamp for directing power to aclamped hair, and as a multiple-hair-removal clamp for removing treatedhairs.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide for a permanentmultiple hair remover system without the need for the single tweezermethod which is more time consuming.

These and further objects of the invention will become apparent from thedrawings and the following description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a section of tissueshowing a typical hair;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus according to the invention when in place engaging hairs to beremoved;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2 of another preferredembodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a conductivelayer of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, taken along line5--5;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another preferred embodiment of theconductive layer of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the conductive layer of FIG. 6 taken alongline 7--7;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, of another preferredembodiment of the conductive layer according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic, exploded view of a still furtherpreferred embodiment of a hair removal device according to theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic, top plan view of the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side, elevational view of the preferred embodiment of FIG.9;

FIG. 12 is a schematic, exploded view of yet another preferredembodiment of a hair removal device according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of conductivetweezers according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of one arm of the pair of tweezers ofthe preferred embodiment of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of another preferred embodiment of conductivetweezers according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of still another preferred embodiment ofconductive tweezers according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of one half of a hand-held casing accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention suitable for retaining andpowering the various pairs of tweezers of the embodiments of FIGS.13-16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a conductivehair removal comb according to the invention;

FIG. 19 is a side, elevational view of the hair removal comb of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of ahair removal comb according to the invention;

FIG. 21 is a partial, side view of FIG. 20, when the hair removal combis open, and hairs to be removed extend freely through the comb;

FIG. 22 is a partial, side view of the comb as shown in FIG. 21, withhairs to be removed shown clamped by the teeth of the comb;

FIG. 23 is a top view of a further hair removal device according to theinvention;

FIG. 24 is a partial elevational view of the hair removal device of FIG.23, taken along line 24--24 therein;

FIG. 25 is a top view of a slider element according to the invention;

FIG. 26 is an elevational view of the slider element of FIG. 25; and,

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a direct current (DC) grounding unitaccording to the invention.

It should be understood that all hair removal embodiments according tothe invention can be used with all electrical power sources: e.g., radiofrequency (RF), direct current (DC), blend (i.e., DC+RF), andalternating current (AC) systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a representation of the manner in which hair is typicallyfound. A hair 10 includes an upper shaft portion 12, which extends abovea skin surface 13, and an interior lower shaft portion 14 extendingbeneath skin surface 13. Hair 10 passes adjacent to oil glands 16disposed immediately below an epidermis area 18. Lower shaft 14 isconnected to an external root sheath layer 20. The growth site for hair10 is located in a matrix area 22. Matrix area 22 contains a papilla 24supplied with nutrients by a blood vessel 26. Matrix area 22 and thecells 23 surrounding the follicle are the parts which must be reachedand destroyed by electrical or chemical energy or heat energy if futurehair growth is to be prevented, given that all of the cells of the hair10 above matrix area 22 is substantially dead fibrous material.

Accordingly, the target for an electrical current to be applied to hair10 is essentially papilla 24, matrix area 22, and adjacent cellularstructures.

It has been found that substantially dry hair 10 is not a sufficientlygood electrical conductor for the present purposes. Hair becomes abetter conductor when moisture is allowed to be absorbed into the hairshaft so that an electrical current and/or heat energy can be induced.Then electrical current and/or heat energy can be conducted from innerupper portion 12 to inner lower shaft portion 14 and, hence, the areaaround matrix 22.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a multiple hair removal device 50according to the invention that can carry out the multiple hair removalmethod according to the invention. Hair removal device 50 includes anon-conductive or conductive glue, adhesive, or wax layer 52, anon-conductive, adhesive, plastic, or wax layer 53, a structural layer54, and a conductor or conductive layer 56 disposed therebetween. It isexpected that layer 53 disposed adjacent the skin, in use, may beminimally conductive so as to not cause a shock or burn to the user'sskin. Conductive layer 56 is connected to a power source 70 by means ofa power transmission cable 72 or by a clamping means.

Turning to FIG. 3, a still further preferred embodiment of the anapparatus according to the invention is shown as a multiple hair removaldevice 80. Multiple hair removal device 80 includes a conductive wax,glue, or similar adhesive material defining a conductive layer 82 whichincludes an adhesive material 84 and electrically conductive material orparticles 86 embedded in and dispersed throughout adhesive material 84.

A separate non-conductive layer 85, for placement directly on the skin,is provided in this embodiment. It is expected that layer 85 disposedadjacent the skin, in use, may be minimally conductive so as to notcause a shock or burn to the user's skin.

Adhesive material 84 is selected from compounds which adhere to humanhair. Layer 82 is made of conducting material or rendered conductive bythe presence of conductive particles 86. An optional structural layer 88is disposed on top of and adhered to conductive layer 82. Powertransmission cable or electrode 72 or clamping means is associated withconductive layer 82 for transmitting power from power source 70.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a conductive layer90 for use with the multiple hair removal device such as shown in FIG.2, when power source 70 is any electrical source. It is expected that anRF (radio frequency) power source be operatively associated withconducted layer 90, for example. Accordingly, RF focusing areas 92 areprovided that serve as focal points at which the RF power isintensified. For other electric sources, such as alternating current(AC), direct current (DC), or DC-biased RF (so-called "blend"), the flatconfiguration pad makes this embodiment a multiple use conductor.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the configuration of RF focusing areas 92 allowfor conductive layer 90 to be substantially flat and foil-like, yet withsharp edges at which the RF is intensified, for example.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another preferred embodiment of a conductive layer100 having attachment tabs 102 that may be used in a multiple hairremoval device similar to that shown in the preferred embodiment of FIG.2. Attachment tabs 102 are used for being attached to a power source byconductive releasable attachment members such as so-called "alligatorclips" or tweezers such as described in detail below and shown in FIGS.13-17. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 6 illustrating electricalfocusing points 104 which serve as intensifiers and directors forelectric power applied to tabs 102. For example, focusing points 104direct AC or DC, and intensify RF power.

FIG. 8 illustrates a still further embodiment of a conductive layer 110made of a conductive plastic material and which can be used in hairremoval device such as shown in FIG. 2.

Turning to FIGS. 9-11, another preferred embodiment of a hair removaldevice 200 according to the invention is illustrated. Hair removaldevice 200 includes a vinyl layer 204, such as a top of an envelope forprotecting the operative elements of hair removal device 200 duringstorage. A conductive layer or conductor 208 includes one or more pulltabs 210, 212, both of which likewise function as conductor leads whenin use.

A conductive layer 214 is disposed adjacent conductor 208 and between anon-conductive layer 218 and conductor 208. Non-conductive layer 218 ismade of material engineered to removably adhere to the user's skin andto allow hair to penetrate therethrough. A vinyl layer 222 functions asthe bottom of a protective envelope including vinyl layer 204, both ofwhich collectively protect conductor 208, conductive layer 214, andnon-conductive layer 218 when hair removal device 200 is being stored.

The invention can be carried out with conductor 208, conductive layer214, and non-conductive layer 218. Still further, it is possible to usejust conductive layer 214 and non-conductive layer 218 to achieve theobjects of the invention.

As best seen in FIG. 10, a perforation 232 is provided to ensure thatvinyl layers 204 and 222 are cleanly separated and removed when one ormore of pull tabs 210, 212, and 226 are used.

FIG. 12 shows a yet still further embodiment of a hair removal device300 according to the invention, which has been shown on an exaggerated,exploded view for clarity.

Hair removal device 300 includes a vinyl layer 304 functioning as thetop of a protective envelope, a conductor or conductive layer 308 havinga pull tab 310 which likewise functions as a conductor lead and,preferably, a second pull tab 312. A conductive layer 314 is disposedbetween conductor 308 and non-conductive layer 318. A second vinyl layer322 serves as the bottom of an envelope when joined with top vinyl layer304, in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 9-11.

Preferably, a pull tab 326 is provided on vinyl layer 322 for assistingin the separation of vinyl layers 304 and 322 when the hair removaldevice is to be used.

A hole 334 defined in vinyl layer 304 aligns with an aperture 338 inconductor layer 308, which aperture 308 in turn aligns with athroughhole 342 in conductive layer 314. A further aperture 346 disposedin non-conductive layer 318 is likewise aligned with a hole 350 formedin lower vinyl layer 322. Holes 334 and 350 are optional. This specialannular shape is useful when a woman wishes to remove hair around theareola resulting from hormonal changes induced by birth control pills,for example. The respective holes are configured for placement over awoman's nipple to avoid contact with the sensitive skin thereof.

Turning to FIGS. 13-17, various insulated pairs of tweezers or tongs 400according to additional preferred embodiments of the invention areillustrated.

FIG. 13 shows that insulated tweezers 400 preferably include an upperarm 404 normally biased against a lower arm 408. The terms "upper" and"lower" are used for expedience as the terms describe the relationshipof arms 404 and 408 as viewed in FIG. 13, and are not intended to belimiting.

A base 412 is configured for insertion into a casing described belowwith regard to FIG. 17, for example.

A metal insert 414 extends substantially along almost the entire lengthof lower arm 408 and terminates in a free end or conductive extension416. An opposed extension 418 can be made of metal or plastic, dependingupon the intended use, as will be apparent from the description of theoperation of tweezers 400 below.

A conductive metal insert 420 extends along only a part of the length ofupper arm 404, as the illustrated pair of tweezers 400 is engineered foruse with DC, RF, or DC-biased RF power sources.

As best seen in FIG. 14, lower arm 408 includes a plastic casing 424which substantially completely surrounds metal insert 414.

As best seen in FIG. 14 an optional stepped portion 428 of plasticcasing 424 demarcates a hair-grasping end 434 of arm 408. A "single"hair grasping free end 438 is defined at an outermost portion ofhair-grasping end 434. A hair-contacting portion 442 of metal insert 414is left partially uncovered by plastic casing 424.

Referring to both FIGS. 13 and 14, one can see that when tweezers 400are in their normally closed position, hair-contacting portions 442 ofopposed tweezer arms 404 and 408 will make contact. In use,hair-contacting portions 442 grasp respective portions of hairs to betreated. Hair-contacting portion 442 has a sufficiently short width at a"single"-hair contacting end 446 that one or two hairs can beconveniently grasped.

A multiple-hair grasping portion 448 of hair-contacting portion 442 issufficient long that multiple hairs can be grasped at the same time.Single-hair contacting portion 446 is surrounded by insulating materialat 438 and elsewhere, so that exposed portion 442 will not contact theuser's skin. Likewise, exposed portion 442 is set back from the freeedge of insulating plastic casing 424 in the region of multiple-haircontacting region 448 so that the skin is not contacted by exposedportion 442; rather, only the hairs to be treated are grasped andcontacted by exposed portion 442. One or more alignment bosses 456 areprovided on lower arm 408 for mating with respective seats 458 disposedin arm 404.

A stepped base portion 460 extends from base 412.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show additional embodiments, depending on the intendedpower source and particular application, of insulated tweezers similarto insulated tweezers 400 of FIG. 13. The FIG. 15 tweezers 460 have twoopposing arms, each of which have full length conductive metal inserts414 therein. The FIG. 16 embodiment of a tweezers 480 has two opposingarms, one of which has a full length conductive insert 414, with nometal insert at all in an opposed arm 484; for example.

Each one of upper arm 404 and lower arm 408 of the embodiment of FIG.13, as well as each of the opposed arms of the embodiment of FIGS. 15and 16, such as non-conductive arm 484, may be detachably attached tobase 412.

FIG. 17 illustrates a hand-held casing 500 which is used for securingand powering insulated tweezers 400 of FIGS. 13-16. Hand-held casing 500includes a plastic case 504 and a tweezers receptacle 510 configured forreceiving stepped based portion 460. One or more female connectors 512receive conductive extension 416 and extension 418. A conventionalprinted circuit (PC) board 516 converts and regulates the power suppliedby a standard power source 520 into the desired type of power used inthe hair removal system selected according to the invention, such as AC,DC, DC-biased RF, and the like, as described above.

FIGS. 18-22 illustrate hair clamping combs according to furtherpreferred embodiments of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of a hair clamping comb 600 having a base 612.Clamping comb 600 includes a lower, toothed comb 606 having a pluralityof teeth 608. A further comb 610 having a plurality of teeth 611 isprovided between lower comb 606 and a movable clamp 615. Movable clamp615 is conveniently provided with an extension 624 against which anoperator can apply force for rotating clamp 615 about a pivot 626 in thedirection of arrow 630. Comb 600 will be spring-biased in a normallyclosed position (i.e., the position shown in FIG. 19) or in a normallyopen position (the position shown in FIG. 18) depending on the intendeduse and the intended power source, for example. Lower comb 606 willtypically be made of non-conductive, insulating plastic, as will be theplurality of teeth 608 thereon. Central comb 610 will typically be madeof a conductive metal. At least the teeth 611 thereof will generally bemade of a conductive metal. Such metal teeth 611 will be electricallyconnected with a free end or conductive extension 616. An opposedextension 618 will be made of metal or plastic, depending upon theintended use, as will be readily apparent from the description of theuse of hair treatment devices under OPERATION below.

A conductive metal insert 620 is provided in a portion of clamp 615. Anouter, insulating portion 622 of clamp 615 covers metal insert 620 forpreventing a user from contacting metal insert 620 when in use. As willbe appreciated, metal insert 620 will be sufficiently large to contactat least a portion of the ones of metal sheet 611 which will be activelyused in hair removal.

A representative hair 644 is shown clamped between a representativetooth 651 and metal insert 620 when hair 651 is being treated forremoval. In use, a plurality of hairs will be clamped at one time.

A stepped base portion 660 extends from base 612 and is configured forbeing inserted into receptacle 510 of hand-held casing 500 shown in FIG.17.

Turning to FIGS. 20-22, the further preferred embodiment of a hairremoval comb 800 according to the invention is illustrated.

Hair removal comb 800 includes a base 812 having a conductive extension816 and a further extension 818, which can be conductive, depending onthe power source selected. One or more protrusions 821 are provided onan outer face of an upper comb 823. Protrusions 821 are preferably sizedsufficiently large so as to be easily engaged, pushed, and pulled by oneor more of a user's fingers. Upper comb 823 will typically be providedwith a conductive metal insert 825. A lower comb 827 will typically be anon-conductive, insulating material, as such lower comb 827 will be usedadjacent to the client's skin 831. A central comb 833 will typically bemade of a conductive metal material. For most purposes, conductivecentral comb 833 will be electrically connected with conductiveextension 816.

FIG. 21 illustrates a plurality of hairs 837 extending between adjacentones of substantially aligned teeth of respective combs 823, 833, and827.

Conventional, unillustrated guides serving as sliding elements allowsupper comb 823 to be slide relative to central comb 833 in the directionof arrow 841 when a force is provided in the direction of arrow 841 onprotrusions 821, for example. Conveniently, upper comb 823 and lowercomb 827 can be made of a single piece of insulating material, so thatlower comb 827 moves therewith. Owing to the movement of upper comb 823relative to central comb 833, portions of metal insert 825 will engagehairs 837 and establish electrical contact with conductive metal centralcomb 833. For example, a portion 851 of metal insert 825 will pressagainst and firmly engage hair 837 with a portion 853 (such as a portionof the comb tooth) of central comb 833. The power source will then beactuated for a predetermined period of time, and the clamped hairs 837will be immediately removed by movement of comb 800 away from skin 831,or hairs 837 will be released for later removal, depending on the powersource used, as described elsewhere.

FIGS. 23-27 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a hair treatment orhair plucker attachment 1200 according to the invention. Hair pluckerattachment 1200 includes a snap-on body 1204 which is configured toreleasably engage the hand-held casing 500 of FIG. 17, in the samemanner as the attachments of the embodiments of FIGS. 13-22. A pluralityof springs 1208 is disposed adjacent an outer free end 1210 for engaginghairs on a user's body to be treated. A slider 1212 is movably mountedon body 1204 and includes slider posts 1216 which move therewith.

A plurality of fixed posts 1220 is disposed on body 1204.

A cam 1228 drives a cam follower 1232 for thereby imparting areciprocatory motion to slider 1212. A cam shaft 1236 attached to andextending from cam 1228 is configured for engaging a mating drivenmember for powering hair treating attachment 1200, such as by beingcoupled to an unillustrated drive shaft of a motor. As will be readilyappreciated, when cam shaft 1236 is rotated, the rotation of cam 1228causes slider 1212 to reciprocate, whereby slider posts 1216 moveback-and-forth relative to fixed posts 1220. Given that each one ofsprings 1208 has its respective free ends connected to ones of sliderposts 1216 and fixed posts 1220, the reciprocatory movement causessprings 1208 to open and close. This opening and closing of springs 1208causes springs 1208 to alternately grab and release hairs on the body ofa user when hair treating attachment 1200 is in use.

Springs 1208 may be provided with an insulating material 1221 which hasbeen applied on the outer faces thereof, such as when the springs are ina fully closed position (i.e., no gap between adjacent coils 1241 and1243 of spring 1208). Contacting faces 1223 and 1224 are substantiallyfree of insulation. In that manner, springs 1208 can be used to grasphair, and the appropriate power source will be applied as in theprevious embodiments and an insulating layer of material will bedisposed adjacent the user's skin when spring 1208 is closed and theelectrical power source is being applied therethrough to the hairclamped between adjacent coils 1241 and 1243, thereby clamping a hair1225, for example. One or more of springs 1208 is electrically connectedto a conductive extension, such as in the embodiments of FIGS. 13-22. Itis likewise contemplated that a timer will be provided for determiningthe length of time the springs 1208 are in the closed position (i.e.,coils 1241 and 1243 are pressed adjacent each other, such as whenclamping a piece of hair) and/or the length of time the power source isbeing applied to spring 1208 for directing power to a treated hair.There may likewise be provided an audible or visible alarm, such as abuzzer or light, respectively, so that the user knows that the power hasbeen supplied for a sufficiently long period of time to treat theclamped hair and/or so that the user knows that springs 1208 are beingpowered. Accordingly, when in use, an elegantly simple solution to theproblem of treating and removing hair from the user's body has beenachieved. Namely, as cam shaft 1236 is being driven for opening andclosing springs 1208, the user simply slides free end 1210 along thesurface of the user's body, whereby hairs are grabbed and, owing to themovement of hair treating attachment 1200 by the user, the hairs areremoved during the phase in which springs 1208 are closed.

It is likewise contemplated that additional reciprocatory movements beimparted to the opening and closing springs, such as by a mechanicalmovement which opens some of the springs at the same time others of thesprings are being closed.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that a different slider and springopenings/closing mechanism be used so that after the springs have beenclosed, movement is imparted to the closed springs, so that the movementof the closed springs relative to the user's body causes a grasped hairto be removed, as opposed to the movement of the user's hand causing theremoval of the unwanted hair.

FIG. 28 illustrates a grounding accessory 1300 for use with all the hairremoval embodiments of the invention, in the case where a DC powersource is being used. When the person whose hair is being removed isworking on himself or herself (e.g. the "patient" is the "user") the DCgrounding accessory 1300 is unnecessary, as the patient will beinherently grounded. When an operator of one of the DC power sourceaccessories described above is someone other than the person whose hairis being removed, DC power source accessory 1300 will be used. Agrounding strap 1304 is provided, which may conveniently be used as awrist strap. If the patient being worked on holds the strap 1304 in hisor her hand, sufficient grounding will typically be achieved. A powersource piggy back connector 1306 includes an electrical connector 1308which will be attached to the conventional transformer or other powersource, in use. Piggy back connector 1306 includes a male connector 1312which will be attached to the accessory being used (e.g., male connector1312 will plug into a mating female receptacle in the casing of the hairtreating devices described above). A grounding cable 1313 extends fromgrounding strap 1304 and electrically connects to a male connector 1316.A connector body 1319 is grasped by the user when male connector 1316 isinserted into female connector 1318 of piggy back connector 1306 whengrounding strap 1304 is used.

OPERATION

The preferred embodiment of the method of permanently removing one ormore hairs according to the invention will become more apparent by firstconsidering the manner in which the embodiments of the apparatus shownin FIGS. 2-7 are used.

Multiple hair removal device 50 of FIG. 2 is used as follows.Preferably, the skin having hair to be treated and removed is firststeamed in order to both open the pores and to moisturize the hair forenhancing conductivity thereof. A conductive solution, which may be aliquid, a gel, an emulsion, or a cream, is applied to the hair. Theconductive solution is left in contact with the hair for a predeterminedperiod of time. Preferably, the conductive solution has an alkalineformulation and a pH in the range of about 9 to 11. The length of thepredetermined period of time is determined as described below, then thesolution is wiped off.

Multiple hair removal device 50 is then pressed against the skin surfaceto be treated, ensuring that non-conductive adhesive layer 53 is closestto skin surface 13. Upper portion 12 of the hair to be removed extendsthrough non-conductive adhesive layer 53 and contacts adhesiveconductive layer 52 as multiple hair removal device 50 is pressedagainst the skin. Thus, hair 10 itself serves as a path by which poweris transmitted from conductive source to matrix root area 22 of thehairs to be destroyed. Some or all of hairs 12 may directly contactconductor 56.

Power source 70 is then turned on for a predetermined length of time.The predetermined period of time is a function of the area of the hairto be treated, the number of hairs to be destroyed, the physicalattributes of the hair, the type of power source being used, and likeconsiderations. Accordingly, it is preferred that a preliminary test bedone because the length of time required varies not only from person toperson, but from one area of the body to another. Advantageously, a testarea, commonly known as a "patch test" is done as it serves theadditional purpose of determining whether the user is allergic to theconductive solution or to other constituents, such as the adhesive layerand how well the roots and hair accepts the treatment.

After the application of power to kill the hair, the destroyed hair isallowed to remain in the body for a predetermined period of time,inasmuch as a chemical reaction has been started in the vicinity ofmatrix area 22 by the application of power thereto, and the chemicalreaction continues at this site of hair growth for a period of time.This is typically done only with the DC unit.

For a fuller discussion of the chemical processes which are involved,attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,714 to Mehl U.S. Pat. No.5,049,148 to Mehl, U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,394 to Mehl, and U.S. Pat. No.5,026,369 Cole described above, each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

In order to optimize the length of time for which power is applied, onecan conduct a test of the removed hairs so as to gauge the amount ofdestruction of matrix area 22. This is typically done only with DC unit.

This test is accomplished by use of a standard piece of litmus paper anddistilled or deionized water. The piece of litmus paper is placed on thetest bench, a drop of distilled and/or deionized water is applied, andthe matrix area 22 of a removed hair is touched to the surface of thelitmus paper. A destroyed matrix area 22 will have undergone a chemicalchange sufficient that a spot on the piece of litmus paper to whichmatrix area 22 was touched indicates a pH in the range of about 9 orgreater. If the pH registers lower than about 9, then the user simplyincreases the period of time for which power is applied.

The litmus test is repeated as required to determine the length of timenecessary to properly treat a given body area of hair. After the properlength of time for the application of power has been determined, alarger area of the same part of the body can be treated by simplymultiplying the length of time the power has been applied to the testarea by the ratio of the size of the larger area to be treated to thesize of the test area. For example, if one minute was required forproperly treating one square inch of hair, then ten minutes would berequired for treating ten square inches of the same type of hair.

Preferably, the hair to be removed is substantially uniform andrelatively short.

If the hair is not short then it is preferred that the hair be cut inthe area to be treated. If it is necessary to shave off the hair, theuser's hair should be allowed to grow for about three days so as toachieve a substantially uniform, relatively rigid stubble.

These relatively short and rigid hairs have been found to extend wellthrough non-conductive layer 53 and into conductive adhesive or waxlayer 52 for contacting conductive layer 56. This length of hair afterabout three days growth has likewise been found to ensure that there issufficient contact area between upper shaft portion 12 of hair 10 andconductive adhesive layer 52 so that the treated hair can be removed.

It is further preferred that in the case of adhesive layer 52 being madeof a wax-like substance, layer 52 is pressed in the direction oppositeto normal hair growth. After treatment, the hairs having destroyedmatrix areas 22 are removed in the opposite direction; namely, in thedirection of normal hair growth.

The embodiments of the multiple hair removal device as shown in FIGS.3-8 are used in a similar fashion. Conveniently, conductive layer 100 ofFIG. 6 has tabs 102 to which a readily removable power source can beclamped, for example, as by alligator clips.

Likewise, the embodiments of FIGS. 9-12 are used to remove multiplehairs in a manner similar to the use of the above embodiments.

Tweezers 400 of FIGS. 13 and 14, as well as tweezers 470 and 480 ofFIGS. 15 and 16, respectively, are engineered to be used in multipleways.

When using the embodiments of FIGS. 9-12, for example, tweezers 400serve as power connectors and are attached to conductive pull tabs 210and 212 in a manner similar to traditional normally closed alligatorclips. When tweezers 400 are used to supply power, tweezers 400 can beinserted into hand-held casing 500 by mating extensions 416 and 418 withfemale connectors 512 as stepped base 460 engages tweezer receptacle510. Power source 520 then supplies the required power to conductiveextension 416, for example, the required power having been determined byPC board 516. The power selected for the particular method istransmitted through metal insert 414 and through exposed portion 442 forsupplying power to conductive tabs 210 and 212 of the preferredembodiment of FIG. 9, for example.

If any hairs remain after performing the multiple hair removal treatmentmethods described above, tweezers 400 and casing 500 of FIGS. 13-15 canbe used as a separate operating component of the overall hair removalsystem. In that case, tweezers 400 will be used to grab single ormultiple hairs extending from the user's skin directly after theappropriate steps of applying conductive solutions have been carried outas described above. To open normally closed hair-grasping end 434, theuser presses upper arm 404 toward lower arm 408 whereby the arms moverelative to each other, facilitated by detent 430. Tweezers 400 areplaced against the skin so that hair-grasping end 434 is near to thehairs to be removed. The plastic casing 424 defines the non-conductiveregions surrounding exposed metal hair contacting portion 442; namely, apower transmission area is thereby defined.

The preferred embodiments of FIGS. 18-28 will be used as describedabove.

The preferred sources of power include DC power, radio frequency power,galvanic thermolysis, and combinations thereof, such as DC-biased RF orblend.

The length of time during which the hair is allowed to stay in the bodyafter the power has been treated varies and is preferably about 30minutes for DC or galvanic method. This time is believed to be adequatefor the chemical reaction which has been induced by the application ofpower at matrix area 22 to continue sufficiently long for the so-calledgalvanic effect to take place, thereby leading to permanent impairmentof future hair growth.

RF, thermolysis, and DC-biased RF or blend treated hairs can be removedimmediately after treatment.

The above method effectively removes all treated hairs at this stage ofgrowth. In order to get complete and permanent hair removal, the abovemethod steps will be repeated when the user can see hair stubble in thetreated area resulting from hairs at different growth stages not removedby the first treatment. Additional treatments may be required as newhair growth occurs that may be induced by hormonal changes and theuser's life cycle.

The preferred materials for the non-conductive and conductive layersinclude adhesives, glues, and hot or cold waxes, and conductiveparticles, as required, for conductivity. The conductive layer may bemade of conductive metals, conductive plastics, and thin foils of thosematerials or ceramics.

It is also contemplated that the material of the conductive layer willbe selected so that it changes color over time. Thus, exposure to air,exposure to the contacted user's skin (such as by a reaction to thewarmth, moisture, and/or pH of the skin), or even exposure to the hairitself will cause a color change in the conductive layer. The colorchange tells the user useful information such as: the conductive layermaterial has been on the skin for a sufficient period of time so as toprovide a visual indication to the user that the conductive material maybe removed, given that the period of time suffices for fully treatingthe hair to be removed.

It is likewise contemplated that the material of the conductive layer orwax will be selected so that the color of the conductive layer changesas a function of the electric current or other power applied thereto. Inthat way the user gets visual confirmation that sufficient electricalpower and/or electrical power for a sufficiently long period of time hasbeen applied to the conductive material so as to fully treat the hair tobe removed.

The configuration of the conductor layer may be changed in order toheighten the effects of a particular power source, provide tabs forattachment to a power source, or to treat specific shapes of the body.

Different sizes of the multiple hair removal devices may be useddepending on body area and whether the intended use is for an initialtreatment when the removal of large numbers of hairs is required, orsmaller devices covering reduced areas of the skin may be used whenfollow-up treatments are performed or when only a small area of the skinis to be treated. Curved configurations may be used for application tothe user's eye brow area or larger square. Round or oblong shapes forarms, legs, or any large area are likewise contemplated.

It is also contemplated that the non-conductive layer of materialdisposed directly adjacent the user's skin will be supplied in a liquidform which is applied by the user to the area of the user's skin betreated while the material is still liquid. After a period of time, theliquid will dry sufficiently on the user's skin so that a non-conductivesemi-solid or solid layer is achieved. Likewise, the conductive layerdisposed adjacent the non-conductive layer, and separated from theuser's skin by the non-conductive layer, will be applied in a liquidform, and allowed to dry, as necessary. A third layer, such as theconductor layer of some of the preferred embodiments of the invention,will also be applied in liquid form on top of the conductive layer, andbe allowed to sufficiently dry, as required.

It is likewise contemplated that the two or more liquid materialsdescribed in the previous paragraph will be supplied in a singleliquid-retaining container, whereby the user simply shakes the containerprior to use, applies all three liquids at the same time by use of anapplicator, and the two or three liquid materials separate prior tohardening. In this manner, all the layers will be applied at once in aliquid form with only one liquid application step.

In the case of two or three liquids in one container, the liquids willpreferably be immiscible, and the lowermost, nonconductive material willbe heaviest, so that it sinks to the lowermost point and, in use,contacts the skin.

While this invention has been described as having preferred designs, itis understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/oradaptations of the invention following in general the principle of theinvention and including such departures from the present disclosure ascome within the known or customary practice in the art to which toinvention pertains and as may be applied to the central featureshereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention andof the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of removing hair comprising the stepsof:a) applying a conductive solution to the skin surface to be treated;b) applying DC from a power source to the hairs to be removed from theskin for a period of time sufficiently long to induce a chemicalreaction in the matrix area of the hairs to be removed; c) allowing thehairs to remain in the skin for a period of time sufficiently long sothat the chemical reaction induced in the step of applying DC continuessufficiently long for destroying the matrix area of the hairs; d)engaging the treated hairs with at least two coils of a spring andclamping the engaged hairs therebetween; e) removing the hairs bymovement of the spring relative to the skin; f) removing one of thehairs killed in said step of applying DC; and g) conducting a litmuspaper test to determine the desired length of time required for applyingDC in said step of applying DC by touching the matrix area of theremoved hair to a wetted piece of litmus paper.
 2. A method as definedin claim 1, wherein:a) said step of applying DC includes treating thehairs with DC and RF.
 3. A method of removing hair as defined in claim1, including the steps of:a) reducing the length of the hairs to beremoved by one of cutting and shaving the hairs close to the skin priorto said step of allowing the hairs to remain in the skin for a period oftime; and b) providing for substantially about three days of hair growthtime after said step of reducing the length of the hairs beforeperforming said step of engaging the treated hairs and before said stepof removing the hairs by movement of the spring relative to the skin,when the hairs are shaved in the step of reducing the length of thehairs.
 4. A method as defined in claim 1, including the step of:a)steaming the skin to be treated prior to the application of theconductive solution for opening the pores in the skin.
 5. A method asdefined in claim 1, wherein:a) said step of engaging treated hairsincludes providing a conductive element on the spring having at leasttwo coils; and b) said step of applying DC from a power source to thehairs to be removed includes applying DC through the conductive elementof the spring.
 6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein:a) said stepof applying power includes treating the hairs with RF.
 7. A method asdefined in claim 1, wherein:a) said step of applying power includestreating the hairs with thermolysis.
 8. A method as defined in claim 1,wherein:a) said step of applying power includes treating the hairs withblend.
 9. A method of removing hair comprising the steps of:a) applyinga conductive solution to the skin surface to be treated; b) engaginghairs to be treated with a spring having a conductive element and atleast two coils; c) applying DC from a power source through theconductive element of the spring to the hairs to be removed from theskin; d) said step of applying DC being carried out for a period of timesufficiently long to induce a chemical reaction in the matrix area ofthe hairs to be removed; e) allowing the hairs to remain in the skin fora period of time sufficiently long so that the chemical reaction inducedin the previous step continues sufficiently long for destroying thematrix area of the hairs; f) engaging the treated hairs with the atleast two coils of the spring and clamping the engaged hairstherebetween; g) removing the hairs by movement of the spring relativeto the skin; and h) conducting a litmus paper test to determine thedesired length of time required for applying DC in the DC applicationstep by touching the matrix area of one of the removed hairs to a wettedpiece of litmus paper.
 10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein:a)said step of applying DC includes treating the hairs with DC and RF. 11.A method of removing hair as defined in claim 9, including the stepsof:a) reducing the length of the hairs to be removed by one of cuttingand shaving the hairs close to the skin prior to said step of allowingthe hairs to remain in the skin for a period of time; and b) providingfor substantially about three days of hair growth time before performingsaid steps of engaging the treated hairs and before said step ofremoving the hairs by movement of the spring relative to the skin, whenthe hairs are shaved in the step of reducing the length of the hairs.12. A method as defined in claim 9, including the step of:a) steamingthe skin to be treated prior to the application of the conductivesolution for opening the pores in the skin.
 13. A method as defined inclaim 9, including the step of;a) providing an insulating coating on anexterior of the spring provided in said step of engaging hairs to betreated.
 14. A method of removing hair comprising the steps of:a)applying a conductive solution to the skin surface to be treated; b)applying power from a power source to the hairs to be removed from theskin for a period of time sufficiently long to induce a chemicalreaction in the matrix area of the hairs to be removed; c) allowing thehairs to remain in the skin for a period of time sufficiently long sothat the chemical reaction induced in the step of applying powercontinues sufficiently long for destroying the matrix area of the hairs;d) engaging the treated hairs with at least two coils of a spring andclamping the engaged hairs therebetween; e) removing the hairs bymovement of the spring relative to the skin; and f) providing aninsulating coating on an exterior of the spring provided in said step ofengaging hairs to be treated.
 15. A method as defined in claim 14,wherein:a) said step of applying power includes treating the hairs withRF.
 16. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein:a) said step ofapplying power includes treating the hairs with thermolysis.
 17. Amethod as defined in claim 14, wherein:a) said step of applying powerincludes treating the hairs with DC.
 18. A method as defined in claim14, wherein:a) said step of applying power includes treating the hairswith blend.
 19. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein:a) said step ofapplying a solution includes applying an alkaline solution.
 20. A methodof removing hair comprising the steps of:a) applying a conductivesolution to the skin surface to be treated; b) engaging hairs to betreated with a spring disposed in a housing, the spring having aconductive element and at least two coils, and a drive element beingprovided in the housing for moving the two coils toward and away fromeach other; c) providing an insulating coating on an exterior of thespring provided in said step of engaging hairs to be treated; d)applying power from a power source through the conductive element of thespring to the hairs to be removed from the skin; e) said step ofapplying power being carried out for a period of time sufficiently longto induce a chemical reaction in the matrix area of the hairs to beremoved; f) allowing the hairs to remain in the skin for a period oftime sufficiently long so that the chemical reaction induced in theprevious step continues sufficiently long for destroying the matrix areaof the hairs; g) engaging the treated hairs with the at least two coilsof the spring and clamping the engaged hairs therebetween; and h)removing the hair by movement of the spring relative to the skin.